Lifeboat crews are warning people to take greater care near the sea after a family was nearly swept away.

Tony Pearson and his children were spending the day at Cresswell, in Northumberland, when they got caught by the rising tide.

The family walked over a narrow concrete causeway to reach an area of rocks known as Cresswell Carrs but didn't spot the rising water level until it was too late.

Mr Pearson, 33, had gone to Cresswell with his daughter Rachel, 10, son Michael, seven, and partner Janet Strong, 37, for a day out.

Mr Pearson, of St Nicholas' Close, Ashington, said: "What we didn't realise was there was quite a dip in the causeway and by the time the sea was coming on to the rocks the causeway was already under a bit of water.

"A fisherman was shouting and waving on the shore but at first we thought it was somebody we knew. He had waders on and came towards us, but it was too deep for him to help us.

"He shouted that help was on the way and told us to wait. But the sea was rising and by the time the lifeboat came from Newbiggin, there was only one or two rocks still above water."

Newbiggin's inshore lifeboat arrived and the family were taken into the boat.

Ms Strong added: "The lifeboat lads did a fantastic job. The water was already over my feet when they arrived and a few minutes later things could have been very tricky for us.

"It was a very scary and by the time she was taken into the boat Rachel was white-faced and shaking."

Now the inshore lifeboat rescue team have issued an urgent plea to stop others getting into danger.

Mike Bradley, the coastguard covering the Newbiggin area said: "Before people go the seaside they need to check tide times and make sure that they do not get cut off by the rising water levels.

"People on the beach spotted the family on Cresswell Carrs and tried shouting to them that the tide was fast coming in but they just didn't hear.

"They were collecting crabs and were not paying attention to the rising water.

"By the time we arrived the family were wading in two inches of water and it would have risen to between five and six feet before the tide started going out again.

"The family were visibly shaken but no harm had come to them. It could have been a lot worse and they were very lucky we got them when we did.

"The tide comes in very quickly. From the rocks being completely dry they would have been covered within ten minutes.